Review of Neds (2007) by Jim H — 29 Jul 2012
A young Scot descends from intellectualism to the brutality of street gangs in the early 70s.
I think there's no doubt that there's a sense of realism to this portrayal of street life in Scotland. But what motivates the protagonist as he oscillates between his two identities - street tough and bright student - remains a mystery throughout the film. It creates an uneven quality to the character and the film as a whole.
However, the performance by Conor McCarron is fantastic, and some of the details, like Mr. McGil's "I want you down here" screams and the scenes of violence, scream verisimilitude. The story avoids cliches by creating a sense of ambivalence on John's part.
Overall, watching Neds is an intense and ultimately rewarding experience even if one never quite gets to know what makes these characters tick or where they're going after the film is over.
This review of Neds (2007) was written by Jim H on 29 Jul 2012.
Neds has generally received positive reviews.
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